WSL Matchday 13 round-up: Arsenal struck by Hammer blow

Cian Cheesbrough

LiveScore

Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal lost ground in the Women's Super League title race

Jonas Eidevall admits Arsenal were dealt a "tough and frustrating lesson" in Sunday's shock 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

The relegation-threatened Hammers came from behind to secure their first ever Women's Super League victory over the Gunners and hand a huge blow to the visitors' title hopes.

The North Londoners, who named Leah Williamson in the starting XI for the first time since April, went in front through Alessia Russo before half-time.

But Viviane Asseyi's penalty and Hawa Cissoko's strike within eight minutes of each other after the break condemned Eidevall's side to a potentially damaging defeat.

They now sit six points behind WSL leaders Chelsea and three adrift of second-placed Manchester City.

The Swedish boss, 41, said: "We created enough chances to win the game.

"We started the second half very slow. That's the period of the game I'm disappointed with. We were harshly punished in that period conceding two goals.

"It's a very tough and frustrating lesson for us to take. We created enough chances to turn the game around but we didn't put the ball away."

Eidevall added: "We know every game is important. We certainly wanted the three points.

"We're really disappointed. It's a frustrating lesson starting the second half as slow as we did but we need to put our focus on the things we can control — that's the next games ahead.

"Our focus needs to be on our performances in our next games and then we'll see what that means for the league table."

Leah Williamson had an unhappy return for Arsenal

Eyes on Parris

Marc Skinner reckons Nikita Parris' form is becoming hard for England manager Sarina Wiegman to ignore.

The striker's brace earned Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Brighton on Sunday, taking her tally to 15 goals in all competitions and her sixth in five games.

Parris, 29, has not featured in an England squad since September 2022 but Skinner believes her form is giving the Lionesses boss some thinking to do.

The United boss said: "Nikita has shown all the qualities of a true No9. Even when she plays on the side, she gets into the positions of a No9.

"She is in one of the best veins of form in her life. Her runs are perfect.

"I hope she gets rewarded for that if Sarina and her team think it's right at this moment. It's got to be hard to ignore."

Nikita Parris has scored six goals in her last five games in all competitions

Close shave

Matt Beard hailed the character his Liverpool side showed in fighting back to earn a late 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

The spoils were shared as Marie Hobinger struck in stoppage time for the Merseysiders, cancelling out Celin Bizet Ildhusoy's 71st-minute opener.

The Reds boss, 46, told the club's website: "It was a funny game. I think the pitch had an impact for both teams.

"The conditions obviously didn't help. I felt we were quite comfortable throughout.

"The goal was frustrating but we showed great character to get back into it. We scored in the 90th minute and it feels like a bit of a win rather than a draw."